It makes sense writing about a traditional bluegrass music festival with the
genre Americana while actually being in, America. Folk, country, blues,
traditional rhythm and blue and rock n roll are the prime genres expected at
these Americana tagged festivals across Europe, none so prolific as the
British summer festivals. SummerTyne takes place every July, mid-summer, and
it's been this way since its inauguration year in 2006. Past performers include
Seasick Steve, the late Solomon Burke in his final performing year and Lyle
Lovett. The 2013 edition of SummerTyne Americana Festival will be the coming
together of the previous six years for one behemoth line-up, that is hidden
behind the artistic and cultural The Sage Gateshead in the North East of England.
Martha Wainwright headlines the three day festival with The Mavericks, Patty
Griffin, Willy Mason, and Mud Morganfield filling up noticeable slots. There
will be a performance from Sam Amidon, an artist we covered earlier in the
month. His popular covers branch out from the singer-songwriter bracket with Appalachian
folk and a mythical twist on some of country's biggest names. He will play on
Saturday, an artist not to be missed. Amidon will be Wainwright's guest for the
Saturday evening, which will be the most packed day of musical treats across
all stages. Wainwright has been releasing critically acclaimed albums ever
since her family name was recognised in the 60s for Loudon's hilarity assured
folk records, many of which I own and still play. Martha has been the source of
female artist inspiration over the last decade and her performances have proven
why she's one of Canada's great singer-songwriter exports.
Willy Mason has been touring across the United States and beyond for years.
His lo-fi recordings such as "Oxygen" and his electronic influenced
recordings on latter albums If the Ocean Gets Rough and Carry On have
compared the Massachusetts man to Beck. I’m sure this comparison hasn’t come as
a surprise nor problem to Mason whose folk/blues antics have gained acclaim
from many sources. Mason will play on the third day, Sunday, which is headlined
by Heritage Blues Orchestra. The blues band has already created a wave of
excitement across the UK festival scene; they will also be playing at the
Cambridge Folk Festival this year. Their refreshing sound takes the original
Chicago blues and adds a little bit of modern elegance on the once groovy and
dated genre.
Other performers include the
fantastic psychedelic rock / pop musician Matthew E. White, who released a
fabulous debut album last year titled Big Inner. There will be a special
performance from Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, a Cajun band from
Louisiana. Also sister act Larkin Poe will be playing this year’s festival.
SummerTyne Americana Festival will be air-conditioned, likely, and have
stages inside the Sage and outside by the river. It will take place in mid to
late July from Friday 19 to Sunday 21. You can buy tickets here with individual prices for some of
the top performers, with the others (outdoors) being free events. Enjoy the
summer while it lasts.
~Eddie
